Grace Poe rides the MRT

Clad in trademark white, Senator Grace Poe rode the MRT from North Avenue all the way to Taft on Friday morning (8:20 a.m.). Unlike DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya’s trip early Thursday afternoon, Senator Poe’s commute didn’t involve bodyguards or a media entourage. There was, however, a guard who tried to prevent people from rushing into the train knowing that she was there. In response, the Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted Poe saying, "I know they meant well. But I called their attention nicely and explained I need to experience the plight of our passengers."

Before entering the platform, Poe’s ticket got stuck inside a machine and a guard had to manually retrieve it. She also noted that several esclators were "out-of-order" (read: broken).

It took her an hour and half to reach Taft, not counting the 40 minutes she spent in line. Poe said that the trip wasn’t planned and that she merely wanted to experience what the passengers are going through first hand, in preparation for the hearing on the state of public transport sector on Monday.

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After the journey, the Senator said, "I believe the MRT is not a hopeless situation. The government just has to step up its effort in the proper maintenance of the trains and the stations."

It’s helpful to keep in mind that Poe has already denied the rumors that she is may run for president in 2016.